Sermon for Oct 2nd, 2011 at St. John Lutheran Church in Baldwin

“First Things First”— (Matthew 6:33) Oct. ’11 Stewardship Sermon #3

1.                  Grace to you and peace from God our Heavenly Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Amen.  This is the third and final message for our stewardship series Bearing Fruit for Jesus: His Grace and Power at Work Within You.  The text is from Matthew 6:33: “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”  The message is entitled, “First Things First,” dear brothers and sisters in Christ.

2.                   “Which will bring you the greater return on your investment?  [A] One dollar a week for 52 years, or [B] one penny a week doubled for 52 weeks?”  Choose either option A or option B.  This illustrates how people today are unsure, confused and unclear about the choices they make until they have by a process of addition or multiplication calculated the potential return on their investment.  Option “A” sounds appealing, but adding the figures only nets you $2,704.  Now for option “B”, take out your calculators and you will soon realize that the power of multiplication would make you billionaires in less than 52 weeks!  The difference is between addition and multiplication.  Faithful investment of treasures to support the work of the kingdom of God multiplies ministry and reaps a fruitful harvest.

3.                  During a visit to Korea, two American businessmen were highly amused to see a young farmer hitched to a plow that was guided by his father.  Later they learned that both father and son were Christians who had sold their only ox to provide money for a new church building.  “What a stupendous sacrifice!” exclaimed one businessman.  “Not really,” replied a missionary accompanying the Americans.  “They were only sorry they had but one ox to give to the Lord’s work.”  That’s the spirit of putting first things first.  That’s what it means to seek first the kingdom of God!  That’s what it means to live as fruitful stewards of treasures.

4.                  Yet, among Christians today, there are few willing to make such a sacrifice and commitment to the kingdom of God.  In a 1995 stewardship survey of pastors and regional leaders in 16 church bodies, 90 percent agreed that in most congregations, 20 percent of the people contribute 50 to 80 percent of the financial support for ministry. 

5.                  Why are the 20 percent willing to contribute so much and the 80 percent content to give so little?  Some are content to have a little bit of God in their lives, to give a little bit to God in their offerings, and thereby represent the withering, sickly, infected, shriveling, fig tree which bears no fruit.  The law says: “Cut it down.  Why should it take up the ground?”  The Gospel says: “Give it another year.  Let’s fertilize, cultivate, water, and pray for fruit.  If it bears no fruit next year, then cut it down” (Luke 13:6-9).

6.                  Too many Christians are confused and unclear about addition versus multiplication when it comes to investing in the kingdom of God.  In their confusion, they choose to give little or nothing in proportion to what they have received.  What percentage of your income is an investment in the kingdom of God?  How much do you put in the offering plate?  Are you growing in your giving?  More fruitful this year than last?  Committed to being more fruitful next year?  First things first.  Is Jesus represented as first in your giving of treasures?  Your financial commitment today and for 2011 is a reflection of your faith.  If you are growing in your faith, you’ll also grow in your giving.

7.                  Some evening when you have a few moments, retrieve your old checkbook registers and read through the entries.  Or maybe it’s your old credit card statements that chronicle your spending habits and preferences.  Whichever you choose, you may find it interesting, and somewhat startling, to discover just how the money you’ve earned has been spent.

8.                  The entries will read like a family journal.  They record major events, vacations, visits to the mall, vacations, travel, how expensively you dress, or how extravagantly you furnish your home.  The total spent in each category will pinpoint the things that make the greatest demands on your income – either because of need or by choice.  The entries reflect what you have prioritized and value.

9.                  Such a checkup might also reveal our spiritual temperature.  Are you hot, cold, lukewarm?  Is there a pulse?  The contributions given to the work of the Lord compared with the expenditures for the things of life offer some clues.  If nothing has gone to support the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ, or to people in need, but large sums were spent for personal gratification, we need to examine our values related to our treasures.  We show what we love by what we do with what we have.  “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).

10.              What does it mean to put first things first?  Matthew 22:37-39: “Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'”  Give as if you love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind … give as if you love your neighbor as yourself.

11.              Paul wrote in Philippians 3:8-11: “What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for Whose sake I have lost all things.  I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.  I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him …”  I want to be like Christ!

12.              Our church is a “first things first” church where God’s Word is truth and where the sacraments of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are faithfully administered.  Our church is a “first things first” church with a vision for missions and ministry. Our church is a “first things first” ministry where we serve and work together in Christ with time and talents.  Our church is a “first things first” congregation where all people are cared for, where families are nourished, where marriage is uplifted, where young and old are encouraged to live fruitful lives.  It begins in your heart, touches your home, and extends to your fruitful use of time, talents and treasures.

13.               Human beings everywhere, whether rich or poor, are prone to collecting earthly treasures.  But, only heavenly treasures are eternal.  AS children of God, our Heavenly Father calls us to be generous with our possessions and to serve God as our master rather than live as slaves to our personal possessions and our money.  We do all of this for the sake of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  For our sake, Jesus became the servant of all to save all by bearing all of our sins in His body on the cross and giving to us the inheritance of the forgiveness of our sins and eternal life.

14.               Bearing fruit as stewards of time, talents, and treasures is the fruit of faith that seeks first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.  Then, everything else will fall into place.  It means I am connected to Christ as the true vine; I am one of the branches, so connected as to take my life from Him, and to bear fruit.  "I am the vine; you are the branches.  If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.”  (John 15:5).  Connected to the Christ of the cross and empty tomb.  In Christ, you will be fruitful stewards of time, talents, and treasures.

15.              PRAYER:  O God of fulfillment, You provide all manner of excellence that our lives may be fruitful.  Give us also the needed spirit of willingness so that the fruits of righteousness and joy may prevail on the earth; through Your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.